High Frequency Whine/Sound

[KodyK19]

I received my 2024 XL hybrid yesterday, and I found when braking and often times with the steering wheel turned, the truck produces a very, very high frequency sound. Almost an inaudible shrill pitch. Unfortunately, I’m very sensitive to high-pitched sounds, especially in the 20,000 Hz range (think doctor’s hearing test). I used a frequency analyzer and confirmed that this happens when in electric mode and when slowing down/accelerating at less than 5PM.

I really wanna love the truck, but every time I drive it through my neighborhood it gives me a headache from the pitch. My wife also hears it and it gives her a headache so at least I’m not alone lol.

I’m thinking either it’s from the electric steering rack, the external noise generator, or something to do with hybrid components.

I’m taking it into my local dealer tomorrow, but I’m worried that they’re just gonna blow me off if they don’t have somebody that can hear it.

Anybody experience this? I found a couple of people on the forum that posted something similar, but not necessarily the same. I’d really like to start loving my new truck 100%.

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[Ozarkbeard]

It's the noise generator when you're running in electric mode and going under a certain speed, to alert pedestrians.

 

[KodyK19]

It's the noise generator when you're running in electric mode and going under a certain speed to alert pedestrians.

It’s really that high pitched? I saw that there’s a company that makes a disabler for it, I’d really hate to do this as it makes it a deadly missile lol. But I gotta do what I gotta do.

 

[Traegorn]

Legally that noise has to be there.

 

[KodyK19]

Legally that noise has to be there.

Sadness. Legally my brain hurts then.

 

[Traegorn]

Sadness. Legally my brain hurts then.

I mean, assuming it's the noise I think it is, yeah.

Rereading your message, if we're not talking about the hover-sound, it might actually be the sound of the electric motor doing regen.

 

[KodyK19]

I mean, assuming it's the noise I think it is, yeah.

Rereading your message, if we're not talking about the hover-sound, it might actually be the sound of the electric motor doing regen.

It’s not the spaceship like sound I’ve heard other times. It’s a high-pitched whistle that rings in your ears.

 

[Traegorn]

It’s not the spaceship like sound I’ve heard other times. It’s a high-pitched whistle that rings in your ears.

Yeah, my guess might be the motors doing regen if it's happening when braking. Try driving in Eco and see if it gets worse (since it has higher regen) or slippery to see if it gets better (where it will regen less)

 

[MaveRichard]

If we are talking about the same thing, it is simply the two motor generators in the eCVT doing their thing. I find they make SOME noise whether they are using or generating power. I have always noticed this, but it has never bothered me.

On a related note - I was next to a Wrangler 4xe in traffic this week and it was an obnoxious symphony of clicks and high pitched whines.

Sure the Mavericks do some, but overall I find it to be one of the quietest and most peaceful cars I have ever driven. I wonder if that is why it is so pronounced to you @KodyK19

Best of luck

 

[KodyK19]

Yeah, my guess might be the motors doing regen if it's happening when braking. Try driving in Eco and see if it gets worse (since it has higher regen) or slippery to see if it gets better (where it will regen less)

I’ll give it a shot when driving home. When I test drove other Mavericks, they didn’t seem to make the sound.

 

[KodyK19]

If we are talking about the same thing, it is simply the two motor generators in the eCVT doing their thing. I find they make SOME noise whether they are using or generating power. I have always noticed this, but it has never bothered me.

On a related note - I was next to a Wrangler 4xe in traffic this week and it was an obnoxious symphony of clicks and high pitched whines.

Sure the Mavericks do some, but overall I find it to be one of the quietest and most peaceful cars I have ever driven. I wonder if that is why it is so pronounced to you @KodyK19

Best of luck

I wish it wasn't such an issue for me too…. I almost want to test drive a few more to see if they make the same sound.

 

[jerrisn]

I received my 2024 XL hybrid yesterday, and I found when braking and often times with the steering wheel turned, the truck produces a very, very high frequency sound. Almost an inaudible shrill pitch. Unfortunately, I’m very sensitive to high-pitched sounds, especially in the 20,000 Hz range (think doctor’s hearing test). I used a frequency analyzer and confirmed that this happens when in electric mode and when slowing down/accelerating at less than 5PM.

I really wanna love the truck, but every time I drive it through my neighborhood it gives me a headache from the pitch. My wife also hears it and it gives her a headache so at least I’m not alone lol.

I’m thinking either it’s from the electric steering rack, the external noise generator, or something to do with hybrid components.

I’m taking it into my local dealer tomorrow, but I’m worried that they’re just gonna blow me off if they don’t have somebody that can hear it.

Anybody experience this? I found a couple of people on the forum that posted something similar, but not necessarily the same. I’d really like to start loving my new truck 100%.

It’s quite normal. All EVs and hybrids produce some level of whine from the motors, high voltage converters, etc. While the noise can be noticeable in some cases, I usually don’t hear it unless I focus on it. These vehicles also have many relays and will randomly make clicking and whirring noises as coolant pumps circulate to maintain the battery’s temperature. This occurs in the Maverick as well as in my 2013 and 2015 Chevy Volt. Here’s a good article that addresses what I think you’re hearing.

https://www.sae.org/news/2021/08/modern-approaches-to-electric-vehicle-noise-and-vibration
https://www.sae.org/publications/technical-papers/content/2024-26-0222/preview/
https://electriccarguide.co.uk/do-electric-cars-make-a-noise/

 

[KodyK19]

It’s quite normal. All EVs and hybrids produce some level of whine from the motors, high voltage converters, etc. While the noise can be noticeable in some cases, I usually don’t hear it unless I focus on it. These vehicles also have many relays and will randomly make clicking and whirring noises as coolant pumps circulate to maintain the battery’s temperature. This occurs in the Maverick as well as in my 2013 and 2015 Chevy Volt. Here’s a good article that addresses what I think you’re hearing.

https://www.sae.org/news/2021/08/modern-approaches-to-electric-vehicle-noise-and-vibration
https://www.sae.org/publications/technical-papers/content/2024-26-0222/preview/
https://electriccarguide.co.uk/do-electric-cars-make-a-noise/

Is there any way to dampen this? I’ve seen a few posts of people adding sound ending to the doors/firewall/back wall/etc. Or just wait until my hearing starts to go with age. I’m a young high school band Director, so this shouldn’t take long.

 

[jerrisn]

Is there any way to dampen this? I’ve seen a few posts of people adding sound ending to the doors/firewall/back wall/etc. Or just wait until my hearing starts to go with age. I’m a young high school band Director, so this shouldn’t take long.

I'm not entirely sure. You mentioned that the Mavericks you test-drove did not have this sound, but were they Hybrids or the EcoBoost model? I assume you drove a Hybrid, but from my experience, I would expect all Hybrids to have this noise. All the Hybrids and PHEVs I've owned have had this distinct sound. If you have sensitive hearing, I'm not certain what, if anything, can be done about it, unfortunately.

 

[KodyK19]

I'm not entirely sure. You mentioned that the Mavericks you test-drove did not have this sound, but were they Hybrids or the EcoBoost model? I assume you drove a Hybrid, but from my experience, I would expect all Hybrids to have this noise. All the Hybrids and PHEVs I've owned have had this distinct sound. If you have sensitive hearing, I'm not certain what, if anything, can be done about it, unfortunately.

I test drove 3 hybrids and one ecoboost. At least I didn’t notice it at the time. Maybe I was distracted.

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